Cat guide
Chicken liver for cats: tiny portions, compared with beef
Chicken liver for cats works like any liver treat: an occasional extra in tiny pieces, never a daily meal. VCA Animal Hospitals says cats are more susceptible to excess vitamin A than dogs, and USDA lists raw chicken liver at 11,100 IU of vitamin A in every 100 grams.
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The USDA numbers for a cat owner
Cat owners tend to ask about chicken liver first, because chicken is already in so many cat foods. Here is how the raw liver compares with raw beef liver in USDA's tables. Every figure is per 100 grams of fresh liver, water included.
Chicken liver and beef liver for cats, per 100 grams raw
| Per 100 g, raw | Chicken liver | Beef liver |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 11,100 IU | 16,900 IU |
| Vitamin A, as RAE | 3,300 µg | 4,970 µg |
| Energy | 119 kcal | 135 kcal |
| Protein | 16.9 g | 20.4 g |
| Copper | 0.492 mg | 9.76 mg |
| Iron | 8.99 mg | 4.9 mg |
Read them at the source: chicken liver and beef liver.
Chicken liver lists less vitamin A than beef liver, about two thirds as much by weight. Less is not little, though. For a cat, the gap between the two matters far less than the size of the piece.
Why cats get the smallest share
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, cats are more susceptible to vitamin A excess than dogs, and the vitamin builds up in the liver over time. VCA connects the problem with raw liver fed over weeks to months, not with a single treat.
The Merck Veterinary Manual puts a cat's need at 10,000 IU of vitamin A in each kilogram of food, and places harmful levels far above that. That figure is per kilogram of a whole diet and the USDA figure is per 100 grams of one food, so they do not line up one to one. Together they explain why liver of any kind sits at the edge of a cat's menu.
A cat also eats far fewer calories than most dogs, so a piece that is a modest reward for a large dog is a big share of a cat's day. Think in flakes, not chunks.
Raw chicken liver and cats
Some raw diets for cats include chicken liver. The FDA reports that raw pet food was the type most likely to test positive for harmful bacteria in its sampling. Cats who eat from your fingers bring that close to you, so wash your hands and the cutting board after each round.
Cooked chicken liver for a cat
If you cook it, cook it plain and all the way through, then chop it finer than you think you need. Nothing from a pan meant for people belongs in the bowl. The ASPCA lists onion, garlic and chives as foods to keep from pets and notes that cats are more susceptible to them than dogs. Chicken liver pâté made for people is usually seasoned, so leave it on the cracker.
Our liver is beef, not chicken
We do not sell chicken liver. Our one liver product is freeze-dried beef liver from a Pennsylvania farm, made in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The bag is labeled as a dog treat, and cat homes use it crumbled into flakes no bigger than a lentil. Our guide to beef liver for cats covers portions, kittens and when to check with the vet.
The beef liver bag cat homes buy
Beef liver only, labeled for dogs. For a cat, a pinch of crumbs is a full serving of treat.
Chicken liver and cats
Can cats eat chicken liver every day?
Daily liver is the pattern VCA warns about, since vitamin A builds up over weeks to months. Keep chicken liver an occasional extra and ask your veterinarian if it has become a daily habit.
Which has less vitamin A, chicken or beef liver?
Chicken liver, per USDA: 11,100 IU per 100 grams raw against 16,900 IU for beef liver. Both are high, so the portion still decides it.
Can cats eat raw chicken liver?
Some raw diets include it, and it needs raw meat handling. Read the FDA page on raw pet food and wash up after feeding.
How much chicken liver can a cat have?
No source we cite gives a gram amount for cats. A few small flakes now and then is the closest fit to the vet guidance. Your veterinarian knows your cat's diet and can say whether there is room for more.
Can kittens have chicken liver?
Kittens need a complete diet made for growth, and extras take up room in a small stomach. Check with your veterinarian before adding any liver.
Is chicken liver pâté all right for cats?
Pâté made for people usually carries seasoning, and the ASPCA lists onion and garlic among foods to keep from pets. Plain liver cooked at home is the simpler choice.